Paving block



. c. L. SULLIVAN AND 1. D. FLETCHER.

PAVING BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY8,1920.

Patented July 11.], 1922 EAQJQS,

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CHARLES L. SULLIVAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND JOHN D. FLETCHER, OF EVANS- VILLE, INDIANA.

PAVING BLOCK.

Application filed May 8. 1920.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES L. SULLI- VAN and JOE-IN D. Fnnrormn, citizens of the United States; said SULLIVAN residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and said FLETCHER residing at Evansville, in the county of Vanderburg and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paving Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to paving blocks, and roadways constructed therefrom, and has for an object to provide component blocks, each having means for contact directly with the juxtaposed blocks, to make such blocks self spacing, leaving a binderreceiving recess entirely around each block adapted to be filled from the top.

A further object of the invention is to provide a block having means for automatically spacing the blocks relative to each other and each block provided with furrows for receiving an enlarged body of binding material whereby each block is bonded to the adjacent block.

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions of units and combinations of units as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawing which is made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred type of block,

Figure 2 a fragmentary perspective view of a roadway constructed of the type of blocks shown at Figure 1, V

Figure 8 a. transverse vertical sectional view through the roadway the plane corresponding to the end exhibited in Figure 2, and

Figure 1 a perspective view of two blocks, embodying the slightly different m0d1fica tion, showing the construction of the unit and the manner of combining.

The preferred type of block comprises a base 10 having a supporting face 11. The upper or tread portion of the block 12 is narrower than the supporting base 10 so that when the blocks are assembled, as shown at Figures 2 and 3, an interval is provided Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1%22.

Serial No. 379,816.

between the adjacent tread faces 13. The block is also divided upon opposite ends with an angular projection or bulge 14 which engages against a similar projection on the uxtaposed block, as indicated more particularly at Figure 2. Thus a binder-receiving opening or space is provided practically entirely around the tread face being broken only at the point of contact of the beveled extensions 14.

The block is also provided upon opposite sides with furrows 15 and, when assembled as shown at Figure 3, the binding material 16 presents an enlarged body occupying the adjacent furrows 15 with a narrower portion extending upwardly between and about the margin of the tread face.

Instead of widening the base for contact throughout its entire length, a modified type, as shown at Figure 41, provides ribs 16 and lugs 17 adapted to engage against each other both at the base and the tread portion, as indicated more particularly at Figure 4. The type shown at Figure 4- embodies the angular projection 14: and the furrows 15 the difference being in the manner of spacing the blocks laterally, whereby contact is provided both at the bases and the tread portions, leaving both substantially equivalent spaces to receive the binder. In either form the blocks are self-spacing and openings are pro vided along the margins of the tread faces for the introduction of binding material to fill the interstices and to form a large body occupying the furrows 15. A roadway constructed in such manner, of the units of either type, prevents, by reason of the enlarged binder body 16, the depression of any one unit independently whereby the even surface of the roadway is made permanent.

By providing the spacing means on the vertical sides and ends and as a part of the block itself, the blocks may be placed and spaced in the roadway without the use of spacing frames or other special spacing means, and without the expenditure of time and care required in the laying of blocks of other types, thus effecting a. material saving in time and expense.

Having thus fully described our said invention what we claim as new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A paving block comprising a base and a tread portion, the said tread portion being narrower than the said base portion, and provided with an intervening longitudinally disposed furrow and with central extensions from opposite ends of the block.

2. In a road or pavement block, longitudinal grooves on two or more sidesin-id- Way of the vertical dimension, and spacing ribs placed vertically on two opposing sides,

substantially as set forth.

3. In a road or pavement'bloc k, longitudinal grooves on two or more sides midway of the vertical dimension, spacing ribs: placed vertically on two opposing sides, and ends provided with spacing "enlargements substantially as set forth.

4; In a ro-ador pavement block, longitudinal grooves on two or more sides, opposing sides being vformed with lugs and ribs on either side of the groove so that the lugs of a block contact with the ribs of the adjacent 20 block, substantially as set forth.

, p In witness whereof, said CHARLEs L. SUL- LIVAN has hereunto set his hand and seal at JOHN D. FLETCHER; [a s] Witnesses I J. W. ALLEN,

C. C. BABcooK. 

